Big hopes for Big House

Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich., was set up in Dec. 2010 for an outdoor hockey game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Michigan Wolverines. There is a chance the Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings could play a Winter Classic there in 2013. (Leon Halip/Getty Images files)

Brian Burke has not received official word that the Maple Leafs will participate in the 2013 Winter Classic.

But the Maple Leafs general manager sounds like he expects the Leafs and Detroit Red Wings to play at Michigan Stadium at the University of Michigan, where upward of 110,000 could be in attendance.

“Certainly there is a lot of smoke, and where there is a lot of smoke, there is usually fire,” Burke said. “We have not received a formal invitation, but if the league asks us to go, we are going to go.

“It does not matter if is in front of 100,000 or 30,000. That would be a special venue if they do put this together and we are invited.”

The game would be scheduled for Jan. 1.

ESPN.com reported on Friday that details could be finalized by all-star weekend in Ottawa in two weeks. A second outdoor rink could be built at Comerica Park in Detroit.

SABRES SYMPATHY

Clarke MacArthur has not played for the Buffalo Sabres since he was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers in March 2010, but the Leafs winger said he still follows his former club.

As such, MacArthur said he sympathizes with the Sabres’ injury troubles. Buffalo had lost 188 man-games to injury before playing host to the Leafs.

“The amount of injuries they have had this year is unbelievable,” MacArthur said. “It’s tough to get through that. You lose some core guys for a long period of time and it is a tough hump to get over. You don’t wish that upon any team.”

The Sabres’ struggles could hit the city hard, MacArthur figured.

“They care a lot here,” MacArthur said. “It’s a blue-collar town and they want to see this team do well, get them through a cold winter. They have a lot of pride in them.”

Sabres owner Terry Pegula, in an interview with the Buffalo News, said he stood behind his team.

“My attitude now is: ‘Let’s put Humpty (Dumpty) back together again,’ ” Pegula said. “I want our players to know that I thought we had a pretty good hockey team until all this happened. Let’s paste it back together and start a new season.

“Trust me, I’m not trying to sugar-coat anything. There’s nobody in that locker room happy with the record right now and with the way the team is playing. They want to make it better. But it’s hard to evaluate something that has been torn apart the way this thing has.”

LITTLE CHANCE

Nathan Gerbe doubted there would be any carryover to the game on Friday from the end of Tuesday’s match, when he punched the Leafs’ Joffrey Lupul in the face.

“I’m 5-foot-4 and I try to compete hard every shift,” Gerbe, the shortest player in the NHL, said. “If I didn’t, I would not be in the NHL. I’ve become a frustrating player. I have to be a pest, play hard.”

Lupul is listed as 6-foot-1.

SALUTE TO THE FORCES

The Leafs will honour members of the Army, Navy and Air Force during the team’s annual Canadian Forces Appreciation Night when the New York Rangers visit on Saturday.

The Leafs players will wear camouflage sweaters during the pre-game warmup. Camo sweaters will be available for sale at Real Sports Apparel, with 20% of the proceeds going to the MLSE Team Up Foundation.

Members of the Canadian Forces will be honoured and recognized throughout the game.